Media Release

City of Chippewa Falls Water Quality

Post Date:02/02/2016 3:22 PM

In view of other water quality issues occurring around the United States, the Chippewa Falls Water Utility would like to assure its rate paying customers that the municipal water supplied to them remains safe. The Utility routinely tests for Barium, Copper, Fluoride, Lead, Nitrates, Cyanide, Sodium, Radium, Sulphate and Bacteria at the source (nine municipal wells). The Utility maintains a consistent pH level in the municipal water supply that minimizes corrosive action of water mains and services and has procedures in place should a violation of the action level of the previously listed contaminants ever occur. The utility completes an annual Water Quality Consumer Confidence Report and makes it available to all customers. The report can be requested from the Utility and is also available at www.chippewafalls-wi.gov/ccr.

A lot of attention of lead in drinking water is in the press. The Chippewa Falls Utility has been involved in a copper and lead survey since 1992 under the direction of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Wisconsin Department Natural Resources (DNR). The Utility targeted homes built in the mid 1980’s that may be more susceptible to higher copper and lead levels. The Utility continues to test homes from the original survey every three years. Lead level results have consistently averaged 3 parts per billion or lower and considerably less than the DNR health standard of 15 ppb.

The Water Utility does encourage customers to investigate what type of internal plumbing fixtures and piping their individual residences contain. If fixtures or piping are determined to be lead, the customer may wish to obtain and test a sample of their water. Sample bottles can be obtained from the Commercial Testing Lab in Colfax or the Eau Claire County Health lab or any lab of the customers choosing.

The City of Chippewa Falls, Water Department’s constant goal is to provide the community with a safe and dependable supply of drinking water.